Turner's Patent 8-day alarm. A beehive mantel clock. Rare. -SOLD-

This Beehive mantel clock made by New Haven Clock Company of New Haven, Connecticut. This rare example features a Turner's Patent Alarm.

At first glance, this rare clock looks like most any other time, strike and alarm beehive clock. The difference is that this clock is fitted with "J. S. Turner's Patent Eight Day Alarm. " When one opens the door, it becomes evident that something is different.

This clock is unusual in that it has a movement configuration that was patented by Jonathan S. Turner on July 13, 1852. Directions for it's use are explained in the verbage of the original label. This label is pasted on to the back of the door inside the case. This unusual movement is designed to run eight-days and features an eight-day alarm. It does not strike on the hour. The alarm mechanism is placed where you would normally expect to find the strike train. This design allows the alarm to be wound once a week and features an automatic shut off which enables it not to run out each time it is engaged. Once set, this mechanism engages the alarm at the same time during each day of the week over the duration of an eight-day spring. In other words, the alarm sounds for a specific duration and the shuts off before the spring is exhausted. This is unlike most thirty hour alarms which must be wound with each use.

This case example is a beehive form. This patented movement has been found in steeple clocks as well as in a small OOG case. An example of the later is currently in the museum collection in Bristol, CT. The case is veneered in rosewood and has been recently refinished. The movement is constructed in brass and powered by coil springs. J. S. Turner's label is applied to the back of the door. The New Haven label is pasted to the backboard and is in good original condition. The cast iron bell is mounted to the backboard with a single screw. This clock retains it’s original painted dial. The tablet depicts a scene titled Washington Rock N. J. This rock became famous as a scenic overlook having a 30-mile panoramic vista that covered the eastern plains of New Jersey up to New York City. General George Washington took advantage of this high point in order to monitor the British troop movements when the Continental Army was stationed at the Middlebrook encampment in 1777. This tablet has some areas of loss. It is original to this clock.

The Four of these Turner's patent clocks have now come to our attention. This is a very fine example. The case measures approximately 18.75 inches tall, 10.25 inches wide and 4 inches deep. It was made circa 1855.